Blaine City Council Member Ward 2
A council member serves on the city council. The city council makes any decisions on behalf of the city. This includes authorizing spending and adopting local laws. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, public safety, and more.https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilA candidate forum for this race is available at https://youtu.be/K-yC4JAli-k. More MN forums are available at https://www.lwvmn.org/2024-candidate-forums.
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Leslie Larson
(NP)
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Ini Udomah
(NP)
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)
What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)
I am the current Ward 2 Blaine City Council Representative. I take the job seriously and will continue to work hard for the best interest of Blaine residents. As a resident of Blaine for the last 16 years, my family is vested in the community. My husband and I have 5 school-aged children who are involved in many activities in the city of Blaine. As a city council member, I hope to ensure that Blaine remains a great place to raise a family.
Pro Families: Continue to advocate for low density housing in underdeveloped areas. Slow growth prevents overcrowding of schools and roads and protects our water supply.
Pro Jobs: Increase employment opportunities by supporting the sports entertainment district coming soon to the heart of Blaine.
Pro Law Enforcement: Safety remains a top priority as crime rates decrease in Blaine for the second year in a row! I fully respect our Blaine Police Department.
One thing the city has recently created is an community action committee that includes Blaine residents from a variety of diverse backgrounds. The committee serves as a recommending body to the Blaine PD to relay input from the diverse community. I think this is a great step to hear from and engage with the whole Blaine community.
Transparency and accountability is important and something we are currently doing well right now. Speaking for myself, I can be reached via email or phone and I try my best to connect with all residents who have a question or want to voice their opinion about any given issue. Being as informed as possible is important. I will continue to do my best for the residents of Blaine.
I am the best person for this position because I bring a fresh perspective, a deep passion for our community, and a commitment to creating positive change. My nontraditional background allows me to approach challenges with creativity and a willingness to think outside the box. As a 21 year resident of Blaine, I’ve grown with this city and witnessed firsthand its transformation over the years. I'm ready to join the conversation at the table, not just to be heard, but to actively listen and collaborate with all members of our community. I believe in building bridges between different voices and ensuring everyone feels included in the decision making process. I’m dedicated, hardworking, and ready to bring new energy/ideas to help Blaine thrive
My top three priorities would be enhancing community engagement, addressing infrastructure needs proactively, and developing a central community hub. Fostering open communication ensures every resident’s voice is heard. I will focus on ensuring Blaine’s infrastructure keeps pace with our growth, addressing needs before they become critical, unlike past practices. Creating a community center will offer a much needed space for activities and gatherings, bringing unity and a central point for all.
I plan on meeting the community where they are at. In addition to committing to hold regular in-person office hours, I will be even more flexible by offering zoom/FaceTime meetings and phone calls by appointment to accommodate as many people possible. I will also attend/host events in the community as well. I'd even do livestream & recorded Q&A's for residents or maybe even getting the city to create an app where residents can be more directly involved in city decisions or share their ideas
To ensure transparency and accountability, I will prioritize building trust by making all city operations transparent and accessible to the public. I will offer more options for public participation in decision making and conduct independent audits and regular reviews to prevent corruption and misuse of funds. Additionally, I will encourage whistleblower protections and foster a culture of openness and accountability, ensuring that every resident can trust and engage with their city government.
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